From where she stood, Scarlett observed the interactions of the other guests with an impassive expression, ignoring the veiled looks occasionally sent her way. She had overheard a few whispers speculating about her relationship with Beldon Tyndall and some curious questions about why she was here, but nothing too bothersome yet.

Tapping the side of the glass in her hand, she took a sip of wine as she pondered her next course of action. Suddenly, the music in the ballroom swelled and people began to shuffle away from the center of the room. A glossy checkered floor, black-and-white in a circular pattern, was revealed as pairs of guests stepped onto it and started dancing slowly to the music, while more people streamed in from the connecting chambers. Soon, the room was swarming with activity.

She suppressed a scowl as people crowded closer to the empty space that had been created around her. She placed her wineglass down on a nearby table as she started making her way towards the edge of the room, not waiting to get trapped amidst a mob of newcomers. From there, she started walking in the direction of the nearest side chamber, hoping it would be less packed.

It took her a couple of minutes to maneuver through the crowds, but she eventually reached the chamber, stepping through a short glass corridor leading inside. To her surprise, the noise from behind her immediately became a lot more subdued, as if there were several thick doors between this room and the ballroom. The atmosphere here was much calmer, with people engaged in relaxed conversations and a small band playing quiet music in the corner.

The space could probably hold around a hundred people, but it was only half full. The walls were painted a soft shade of lavender, with plush armchairs and sofas arranged near the walls, but most people stood in smaller groups spread out around the place.

Scarlett paused when she spotted a familiar face. Not far from her, Livvi conversed with a man and woman she didn’t recognize. The petite noblewoman had her hair tied back in a neat bun and was dressed in a light teal-blue dress that fell just below her knees. The light glinted off the woman’s gold-rimmed glasses as her eyes seemed to land on Scarlett, and a look of surprise crossed her face.

A moment later, the woman turned back to her companions, saying something and receiving generous smiles in return. Then she seemed to excuse herself as she started making her way towards Scarlett.

“Scarlett? You’re here?” Livvi stopped before her, giving her a searching look. “You look great in that dress, by the way.”

“You as well,” Scarlett replied, glancing over the woman’s shoulder at the people Livvi had been talking to. Their attire wasn’t quite as fancy as that of some others present, suggesting they might not be nobles. Perhaps members of the Shields Guild? The Tyndall Ball was open to all classes, provided one had an invitation.

Livvi studied her for a moment longer. “You never mentioned that you were attending tonight. I didn’t think you would, considering… You know…” The woman trailed off into a slightly awkward expression before quickly shaking her head. “Never mind that. I’m glad you’re here.”

The genuine smile on her face made Scarlett uneasy. She always found it challenging to decipher the lingering feelings the original had left behind related to Livvi.

“…I am acquainted with Beldon Tyndall. Procuring an invitation presented little challenge.”

“Really? That’s great.” Livvi looked around and behind Scarlett as if expecting to find someone hiding there. “Is Evelyne here as well?”

Scarlett observed her actions for a second before answering. “She is, although I am not certain of her current whereabouts. I plan to meet up with her later.”

“That is good to hear.” That seemed to make the woman even happier. “And how are you, Scarlett?”

“…I am fine.”

A worried expression appeared on Livvi’s face. “Just fine?”

“Fine is sufficient for the time being,” Scarlett said, creasing her forehead. “And what about you? Have you resumed your work with the Shields Guild?”

Livvi eyed her for a moment longer before giving a slow, almost reluctant nod. “Yes, although they have reassigned me from my previous post recently. Currently, I am assisting in managing and coordinating the Guild’s collaborative efforts to address the erratic appearances from the Tribe of Sin, as well as the increasing number of monster sightings. I’ve had my hands full ever since I got back, so it’s a miracle I could make it here tonight along with my brother and father.”

Scarlett raised an eyebrow. That explained why she hadn’t heard from Kat in a while. The Shielder must still be busy running all across the empire, dealing with whatever messes were popping up.

But did this mean that Livvi had access to the Guild’s more sensitive information and had connections with its leadership here in the empire? The way the woman explained it didn’t make it sound like she held a prominent position, but based on what Scarlett had heard, Livvi was supposed to be very capable. The Guild might not want to waste her skills.

Perhaps it would be advantageous to be familiar with her in the future.

“I hope the situation has not deteriorated too much,” Scarlett said, for lack of a better response.

“It’s…manageable, for now.” Livvi grimaced. “Most senior Shielders above C-rank are almost constantly occupied with something, and my colleagues and I are busy as bees, rearranging their assignments and trying to compensate for their absences at the different branches. I’m honestly surprised the Elystead branch allowed the two C-ranked Shielders working under you to remain, given the circumstances.” She paused, her eyes widening slightly. “Oh, I don’t mean that in a negative way, Scarlett. I believe it’s crucial for the Guild to continue providing its usual services to the empire’s citizens, even during times like this. It’s just unexpected, that’s all.”

“Is that so?”

Scarlett was already aware that the Guild had an interest in her and her knowledge, so from her perspective, it wasn’t surprising at all. But clearly Livvi didn’t possess all the details regarding her situation.

“Ah, but tonight isn’t about all that.” Livvi seemed to have noticed the serious atmosphere that was building up. “Sorry for bringing up these things when you were just asking how I was.”

“There is nothing to apologize for,” Scarlett reassured her. “In fact, I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the current situation of the Shields Guild. I have associates who are affected by these issues, so I have an interest in keeping myself informed.”

She regularly read the Empyreal Chronicle, but apart from the initial coverage of the Tribe of Sin’s attack on Brinewick and other minor settlements across the empire, the newspaper hadn’t written much about the current situation.

“Really?” Livvi looked somewhat surprised by that. “If that is the case, you can ask me about it later, and I’ll give you whatever answers I can. I can’t promise to answer all questions, but hopefully, I can be of some help.”

“That would be much appreciated,” Scarlett said.

Aside from how things were going for Kat, she was curious about the Guild’s overall movements and the Tribe’s activities. It would also be good to know what the S-ranked Shielders were up to at the moment. She knew that Arnaud Astrey, Allyssa’s father, should still be busy with his own work somewhere in the Unresting Steppes, but Gratianus Graham and Rosanna Adlam would still be active here in the empire, helping out in the fight against the Cabal.

Would one of them be here tonight? Probably not. While there were bound to be a few big names present, like Livvi had said, most Shielders were busy. That would likely be even more true for two of the most powerful ones in the empire.

“Why, if it isn’t our dear Baroness,” a voice sounded out from the side. “I was wondering when I would run into you.”

Scarlett turned to see an older lady with greying hair and a flowing black dress approaching them, accompanied by a blonde woman maybe a few years Scarlett’s senior.

“Lady Withersworth,” Scarlett said. “It has been some time since our last meeting. It is a pleasure to see you.”

“Oh, I should be the one saying that, dear.” The older woman wore a smile as she stopped in front of them, shifting her gaze to Livvi. “You are Miss Livvi Knottley, if I recall? That brute Guifford’s daughter.”

Livvi offered an embarrassed smile. “That is correct, yes. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Withersworth. I apologize for anything my father might have done to offend you, but if I may… Can I ask that you don’t refer to him in that way?”

Lady Withersworth waved her hand in the air. “Of course. That was rather rude of me. I do not particularly dislike your father, but he and my dear old husband have gotten in enough arguments over the years that his grumblings have rubbed off on me.”

“Ah, yes… My father can be a bit brusque at times.”

“Oh, I am well aware.” A smirk played on the lady’s lips. Then she turned her attention back to Scarlett and gestured to the blonde woman beside her. “Baroness Hartford, Miss Livvi, let me introduce my wayward daughter, Lorena. It has been far too long since I have had the honor of introducing her at an event like this.”

“Mother…”

“She used to be the apple of my eye, you see, but now she is a member of the Ustrum Assembly and far too busy to pay her old mother any mind.”

The woman let out a low groan. “Mother. I already apologized for not informing you that I would be here tonight, but that is because I knew you would already be aware. And I would like to remind you that you also chose not to tell me that you and father would be here.”

“Of course we didn’t. If we did, you might have chosen not to come simply to avoid us!”

“You know I wouldn’t do that.”

Lady Withersworth let out a small scoff. “I would certainly hope not.”

Lorena seemed to hold back another groan and turned to Scarlett and Livvi. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintances, Baroness, Miss Livvi.”

“Likewise,” Scarlett replied.

Livvi eyed the mother and daughter pair for a moment before returning the greeting as well.

Scarlett wasn’t sure if the woman thought their interaction strange or not—most nobles probably wouldn’t behave this way in public—but Livvi’s father wasn’t much different if you asked her.

She turned her attention to Lorena. “What is it that you do at the Ustrum Assembly?”

“I am a member of the Council of Magical Exchange. We are in charge of most interactions and projects that the Assembly conducts with the mage towers, the Rising Isle, and other mage institutions,” the woman answered. “It’s not as impressive as it might sound. It mostly involves me spending all of my time reading through proposals and deciding on grants for magical research.”

“Quite the contrary,” Scarlett said. “That sounds like a rather important position to me. Were you perhaps involved in the recent collaboration between the Ustrum Assembly, Elystead Tower, and the Rising Isle?”

Lorena appeared surprised by the question. “I wasn’t part of the actual project, but I was one of the members who decided on its scope and execution. I wouldn’t have thought you would have heard of that, Baroness.”

“One of the wizards who participated from the Elystead Tower is a recent acquaintance of mine.”

“Ah, I see.”

Lady Withersworth gestured at Scarlett. “Lady Hartford here also happens to be a benefactor of our house, as well as the reason your father and I decided to attend this year’s ball.”

Lorena looked at her with even more shock now. “I have to ask how you managed that. My father hates these events.”

“I do not believe I did anything particularly noteworthy,” Scarlett said. “It seemed to me that your mother was the primary force behind convincing him.”

“Nonsense.” Lady Withersworth smiled at her. “My husband is beyond grateful for your help, even though he may lack the decency to show it.”

“Um, what exactly did you help them with?” Livvi asked from beside Scarlett, a perplexed expression on her face.

“There was an issue in their fief related to a haunted piece of land,” Scarlet answered. “My retainers and I, with Sir Leon’s aid, dealt with it last month.”

“An ‘issue’ indeed.” Lady Withersworth sounded amused by her description. “It had been causing my husband such distress that he was losing his hair, and I certainly saw no solution in sight. That was when our dear Baroness here swept in and resolved it within a day. Both my husband and I have expressed our gratitude in various ways, but I have found that the Baroness is far more humble about her accomplishments than one would expect.”

“I do not believe ‘humility’ is the correct word to describe my actions.”

“As my husband would say, if the scarf fits, then do not shy away from donning it,” the woman said. “Anyhow, where is that strapping young knight of yours at the moment? Is he not in attendance tonight?”

“Mother,” Lorena chided.

Lady Withersworth simply laughed it off. “Oh, you young people. I stopped caring about appearances the moment your father stepped down from his office. It was the second best decision I have ever made.”

Scarlett cleared her throat softly. “I am not certain whether or not Sir Leon is here tonight. I have not heard from him for a month. It would perhaps be best to inquire with his family for more details.”

She couldn’t do that herself, at least. Not only was the relationship between the Delmons and her the very definition of shaky at the moment, but she also simply didn’t know what they looked like. She had a vague recollection of Marquis Delmon’s appearance, since she saw him perform his oaths during the Elysian Proclamation, but that was about it.

“That is a shame,” Lady Withersworth said. “Perhaps it is best to leave it for now, then. If I were to approach Edita asking about her son, it would likely invite more trouble than it is worth. One never quite knows how that woman interprets one’s words.”

Scarlett eyed her. Lord Withersworth had made a similar comment the last time they spoke. It seemed that the Delmons and the Withersworths were not on the best of terms with each other.

“Mother,” another voice called out, and they all turned to see a man in his late thirties approaching. He had dark brown hair and wore a black velvet jacket with silver buttons. Walking beside, slightly behind, was a young boy of about eight or nine, dressed in a miniature version of the man’s attire, with neatly combed light-brown hair.

The man’s attention was focused on Lorena and Lady Withersworth as he stopped in front of them. “I thought you told us not to go anywhere, but then I find you and Lorena missing almost the second I turn my head.”

The older woman only looked at him for a moment before shifting her gaze to the small boy, offering a motherly smile. “It seems I’ve made you and your father worry. I hope you haven’t been walking around for too long.”

The boy shook his head gently.

That seemed to please her as she looked back at Scarlett and Livvi. “This is my son, Reymond, and my grandson, Lucan. Lucan dear, Reymond, allow me to introduce Baroness Scarlett Hartford and Miss Livvi Knottley.”

Reymond performed a small bow. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Baroness, Miss Livvi.”

His son mimicked his action.

Scarlett kept her eyes on the young boy for a moment. From what she had seen, it didn’t seem that common for nobles to bring their children along tonight. She also imagined it must be rather dull for a child to stay in a place full of adults like this.

“Reymond.” Lorena spoke up. “You might be shocked to hear that the Baroness here was the reason mother and father decided to attend this time.”

The man turned to her, surprise evident on his face, before looking back at Scarlett. “I am afraid I have to ask how that came about.”

“Apparently, the Baroness resolved an issue in our barony that had been driving father mad. I imagine you can recall one thing that fits that description…”

Reymond’s gaze turned more intense. “You were the one that dealt with the mansion?”

She nodded. “That is correct.”

His son tugged at his leg.

“Dad,” the boy spoke in a hushed voice. “Was the mansion the bad place you talked about?”

“Ah, yes, Lucan, that’s right,” Reymond replied, looking down at his son. “Many people have tried to help with it over the years, but no one could find a solution.”

Lucan’s eyes widened at Scarlett. “Does that mean you are better than all those other people?”

She blinked.

Beside her, Livvi let out a small laugh. “I haven’t seen that expression on your face since we were children, Scarlett.”

Scarlett knitted her brows, looking at the woman. “It was simply an unexpected question.” She shifted her attention back to the boy. “As for whether I am better than all of them, I highly doubt it. I simply happened to possess some information they did not, allowing for methods that were not open to them.”

He didn’t seem to quite follow what she said, but Reymond nodded in understanding. “Nonetheless, I can now understand why father and mother are so appreciative of you. I would also like to extend my thanks for helping our family and a lot of innocent people.”

“Your family has already shown more than enough gratitude. There is no need for more,” Scarlett replied.

“You will have to learn that not everything is done out of gratitude, Baroness,” Lady Withersworth said. “Especially not when you reach my age. Sometimes you simply have to follow what piques your interest.”

Both her children seemed to cringe at their mother’s words, though they also seemed used to her behavior. The woman shifted her eyes back to her son. “Before I forget, did I not ask you to find your father? Where is he?”

“He was in one of the other chambers,” Reymond answered. “I told him you were looking for him, but he was engaged in conversation with his companions and said he would find us later.”

“Find us later?” There was a sharpness in Lady Withersworth’s voice now. A brief silence fell over them before her expression relaxed slightly, and she gestured for her son to move. “Come, show the way. This is as good an opportunity as any.” She looked at Scarlett. “Why don’t you join us, Baroness? That senile old man always gets too caught up in his tomfoolery, but at the very least, he has some useful connections. I will introduce you to them. You can come as well if you wish, Miss Livvi.”

Livvi raised a hand and declined. “Ah, no, that is all right. I would love to join you, but I have to find my brother before I get caught up with anything else. There are a few things I need to talk to him about.” Her eyes moved to Scarlett. “I’ll see you later if we get the chance, Scarlett.”

“Very well.” Scarlett nodded, bidding the bespectacled woman farewell.

“If you’re going to go and find father, I think I will leave you for now as well,” Lorena said, looking at her brother and his son. “If you want, I can take Lucan and find Catherine while you guide mother.”

“I would appreciate that.” Reymond gently nudged his son forward. “Lucan, go with your aunt and find your mother. I’ll meet up with you later.”

The boy stepped up to Lorena, though he did send a few glances Scarlett’s way as the woman brought him away.

Reymond and Lady Withersworth then took Scarlett along with them as they left the room. Instead of walking through the bustling main ballroom, they moved through a hallway that seemed to connect to several other chambers. The one they entered had several oak tables and simple furnishings spread around the place, with an open fireplace at its center. A group of older gentlemen stood gathered around one of the tables, drinks in hand, exchanging loud laughs as they talked. Lord Withersworth was among them.

Lady Withersworth and her son walked towards the group, with Scarlett following.

“So this is where you are lounging away your time,” the woman remarked. “I should have known that the moment I take my eyes off you, you would find some of your old companions to rendezvous with.”

Her husband’s eyes shifted to them, his brows furrowing. Several more laughs left the other men as all of their attention shifted to Lady Withersworth.

“It seems you weren’t quite as skilled at slipping away as you thought,” one of the men said with a grin, and Lord Withersworth grumbled under his breath.

Scarlett only paid attention to that for a moment, however, as her focus was captured by one of the individuals in the group.

He was an older gentleman, perhaps in his late sixties or early seventies, with full, flowing silver-grey hair and a well-trimmed beard. A long cape made of lustrous black fabric fell elegantly behind him, its inside lined with scarlet-red silk. Beneath the cape, he wore a simple yet well-tailored black suit, with a deep red shirt underneath. Both of his hands were covered by dark gloves.

While he was what many from Scarlett’s old world might have described as a ‘silver fox’, his appearance wasn’t what primarily caught her attention. Rather, it was the name that surfaced at the front of her mind upon seeing him.

Warley Godwin. The dean of Elystead Tower and one of the most powerful magic practitioners in the empire.

An archmage in the flesh.